One man
has been killed and another infected by an outbreak of legionnaires'
disease in the Manukau City community of Beachlands. The 80
year old died in hospital last month after becoming unwell
"quite quickly", said Craig Thornley of the Auckland
Regional Public Health Service. The second man, 40, a neighbour
of the dead man, also caught the disease but has since recovered.
The outbreak
occurred less than a year after the disease killed three people
and infected 15 others in Christchurch. Building owners were
then told to check cooling towers and air-conditioning units,
but the cause of the outbreak was never found.
Beachlands
residents rely on roof collection for their water and health
authorities distributed fact sheets to the coastal community.
It was the first many residents had heard of the the outbreak. The maildrop told residents to ensure ate tanks were cleaned
yearly. "I think they need to take this opportunity
to think, 'what is the quality of the water in my water tank?'
" Dr Thornley said. The dead man lived on a shared section,
and legionella spores were found in water tanks supplying
both houses on the property. The disease was also present
in the 40-year old man's water tank.
Legionnaires'
disease is a respiratory illness contracted by inhaling the
mist of infected water sources. In its milder form, known
a s Pontiac Fever, it does not require treatment and patients
recover after a few days. Full-blown legionnaires' disease,
however, can cause serious illness and must be treated with
antibiotics. The old, and those suffering chronic illnesses
that weaken the immune system, are considered particularly
vulnerable to the disease.
Homeowners
with tank water supply should clean out their tanks every
six to 12 months and spray the inside walls. Fresh water to
refill the tanks should be chlorinated. Boiling water was
not necessary to protect against legionnella spores, but water
could be heated to reduce the smell of the chlorine. |
